Norway 0-1 England

Young nets for England

By Jemma Tappenden
May 26 2012

Ashley Young scored the only goal during England's pre-Euro 2012 friendly against Norway, to get new manager Roy Hodgson off to a winning start. It was a very different looking first eleven, with a new strike partnership between Andy Carroll and Ashley Young, as well as an unfamiliar defensive line up with the absence of John Terry.

England got off to a good start, with their first real chances coming in the 4th minute, when Andy Carroll headed Stuart Downing's cross just wide of the mark. Five minutes later England grabbed the lead through Ashley Young, who skipped past Brede Hangeland to slot coolly past Jarstein after latching onto Carroll's pass.

In response Markus Henriksen tested Robert Green's near post with a low drive, and Morten Gamst Pederson then struck the woodwork with Green stranded.

Young might have had a second before the break, but he fired Gerrard's looping cross over the bar, and Milner saw Norway keeper Jarstein save well from his low hard shot, after he had been set free on the right wing. Norway on the other hand were struggling to break England down during the first half and saw their chances limited to long range efforts.

It was a different story in the second half however, as England struggled to get on top allowing Norway to enjoy long periods of decent play. It was England whose chances were limited this time, although Baines forced a fantastic save from Jarstein from his free-kick. England absorbed long periods of pressure, and Robert Green was really put to the test with John Arne Riise's low drive. But England were able to hang on to deliver Roy Hodgson a first victory in charge.

England will be in action again next saturday at Wembley against Belgium, their final game ahead of their Euro 2012 Group D opener against France on 11th June.